Will MacLaren

The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Paul Boutilier has passed away at the age of 63. A defenseman, Paul played major junior hockey with the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Castors beginning in 1980, and was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Paul made his NHL debut later that year, skating in his first career game on October 31, 1981, with the Islanders at the Montreal Forum, later returning to Sherbrooke for the remainder of the season. Paul split time between the NHL and the QMJHL during the 1982-83 season, appearing in 29 games for the Islanders, and scored his first NHL goal on November 18, 1982, at home at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Playing in his final season of major junior hockey, Paul served as team captain for the newly relocated Saint-Jean Castors. Paul joined the Islanders for the 1983 Stanley Cup Playoffs, appearing in two games as the Islanders captured the final of their four consecutive Stanley Cups. After 213 regular-season games with the Islanders from 1981 to 1986, Paul would go on to play for the Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars the following season, and later for the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, respectively. From Sydney, Nova Scotia, Paul returned to his home province after the conclusion of his playing career, accepting a position as an assistant coach for Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, serving in the role from 1991 to 1993 before being promoted to head coach, a position he held until 1997. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Paul later served in a multitude of coaching and front office positions across the collegiate, junior, and professional levels of hockey. Internationally, Paul proudly represented Canada on multiple occasions and at both the junior and senior levels, highlighted by a gold medal at the 1982 World Junior Hockey Championships. We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, friends, and former teammates during this incredibly difficult time.